Penang's Blue Mansion gets new lease of life

Hospitality and restaurant group Samadhi Retreats has signed a long-term management agreement to brand and manage The Blue Mansion, A Cheong Fatt Tze Legacy.

The boutique hotel is one of three heritage buildings in Penang to have won awards from UNESCO. It was built by renowned Chinese tycoon Cheong Fatt Tze just before the turn of the 20^th century.

Under the helm of Samadhi Retreats, The Blue Mansion’s 18 rooms have been restored to reflect the tycoon’s opulent lifestyle. Each room is individually themed and furnished with luxurious amenities alongside precious heirlooms from the family’s private collection.

A new addition to The Blue Mansion is the Cheong Fatt Tze Restaurant, serving modern Cantonese cuisine. Other facilities include a swimming pool surrounded by Chinese gardens, and a Samadhi Spa.

The Blue Mansion will be the group’s third property in Malaysia after Japamala Resort Tioman Island, a 13-chalet jungle-luxe resort that opened in 2004, and Villa Samadhi, a 21-room urban retreat in Kuala Lumpur that opened in 2011.

Samadhi Retreats is poised to open a fourth hotel, a 22-room colonial escape in Singapore's Labrador Park, at the end of 2014. This will be the company’s first hospitality foray outside Malaysia.

Federico Asaro, founder and owner of Samadhi Retreats, said in a press release: “Samadhi Retreats is thrilled to be associated with The Blue Mansion, which holds great cultural value and is such an integral piece of Penang’s historical fabric. Its iconic status makes it a perfect match with Samadhi Retreats properties, which are identified by their unique locations that are true to its strong sense of place.”

-TTG Asia.